Business Analyst

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The Business Analyst is responsible for collecting and analyzing data and processes that support organizational recommendations and the implementation of business changes. The Business Analyst will collaborate with key stakeholders to understand business needs, analyze processes, document requirements, and identify opportunities for improvements in operational efficiency, as well as work with technology managers for requirements gathering and the creation of staff training materials.

What You'll Do

Are you ready to dive into a fun and collaborative environment where your insights will help shape the future of our organization? Michigan Language Assessment is seeking a qualified business analyst to drive process improvements, enhance data-driven decision-making, and support the development and optimization of our language assessment products and services. As a business analyst at our dynamic and innovative organization, you'll dive headfirst into the exciting world of data-driven decision-making. Your responsibilities will include developing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), transforming data into meaningful dashboards and reports; and leveraging business intelligence tools. You will support a variety of projects, work closely with stakeholders to gather requirements and transform them into objectives, use cases, functional and non-functional requirements; support user acceptance testing and business process testing.

You will also collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze complex business processes, identify areas of improvement, and propose creative solutions that drive efficiency and growth. Furthermore, you will partner with subject matter experts to help design and deliver software and platform training, ensuring teams are empowered to make the most of our tools and processes.

The business analyst reports to the program manager. Although we are relatively small, about sixty employees currently, Michigan Language Assessment is a joint venture between the University of Michigan and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. This collaboration gives you the opportunity to utilize resources and expertise from two world-renowned institutions.

Who We Are

When you work for Michigan Language Assessment, you join one of the oldest and most respected language-testing organizations in the world. Michigan Language Assessment is committed to delivering outstanding and reliable English language assessments based on 70+ years of assessment expertise. You also become part of two leading, world-renowned universities the University of Michigan, one of the best universities to work for in the country, and Cambridge Assessment English, which is part of the University of Cambridge and has over 100 years of experience assessing English language proficiency.

The Michigan Language Assessment team is diverse, dynamic, and committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion, support, innovation, adaptability, quality, and trust. You'll have the chance to collaborate with peers from more than a dozen countries as you help us grow domestically and globally. We believe in hard work and the importance of personal time. We believe good ideas can come from anyone in the organization. We believe that difficult projects and hard tasks can be accomplished in an atmosphere that's collegial and supportive, because we're all in this together.

To find out more about Michigan Language Assessment, visit us at

Responsibilities*

• Collaborate between business and technical teams, both internally and externally; gather and translate complex business requirements and user expectations into objectives, use cases, and functional and nonfunctional requirements. Support user acceptance testing (UAT) and business process testing; ensure test scenarios are documented and tested; evaluate and implement, when necessary, user-journey and process-improvement recommendations from both staff and stakeholders.
• Analyze existing business processes and as needed, support the development of new processes; validate functional and nonfunctional business requirements; prioritize user experience needs; and identify opportunities for operational improvements.
• Apply continuous business improvement techniques and models using business intelligence tools to enhance organizational data visualization and reporting capabilities. Recommend and execute activities to support business changes, quality assurance, and process improvements.
• Develop and maintain organizational reporting, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) across all areas of the business; use data visualization tools and data-informed decision making to present and report clearly and concisely to key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts for software and SaaS platforms to support the design and delivery of successful training materials, thus ensuring staff can effectively utilize system functionality to support business activities.
• Other contributions commensurate with level and experience as required.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, data analytics or a related field.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and generate insight.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and the ability to learn additional programs as needed.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate cross-functional collaboration.
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to create dashboards and KPI reporting.
• Excellent attention to detail and time-management.
• Knowledge of business process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Experience with business process modelling and documentation tools (e.g., Lucid chart, Visio).
• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Business Objects, Power BI).
• Experience with user acceptance testing and business process testing.
• Experience writing requirement documentation, such as use cases, business requirements, and functional requirements.

Desired Qualifications*

• Master's degree in business, finance, data analytics or a related field.
• Lean, Six Sigma certification or similar process improvement certification/training.
• Knowledge of business intelligence principles and standard processes, including data management and reporting processes.
• Strong business knowledge and knowledge related to system design.
• Familiarity with CRM platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce.
• Experience supporting project managers and knowledge of project management methodologies.
• Experience working on surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder interviews.

Work Locations

Michigan Language Assessment is seeking candidates within commuting distance to Ann Arbor. This is a hybrid position with occasionally scheduled in person activities.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

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